July 21, 2006
Care across the
continuum: Multidisciplinary clinic serves ALS patients
According to national studies, approximately 30,000 Americans are living
with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and another 5,600 are diagnosed
each year. ALS — more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease is a
degenerative condition that wreaks havoc on the nerve cells in the brain
and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy and paralysis. One
year ago, the MGH ALS clinic launched a new, multidisciplinary team approach
to better treat patients suffering from the disease. Since its implementation,
the program has achieved considerable growth; approximately 70 percent
of the hospital's ALS patients currently benefit from its services.
Patients visit the clinic every 12 weeks to meet with a team of specialists
that includes a nurse practitioner, physical, speech and respiratory therapists
and a representative from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Clinic staff
also work with the patient's outside health care professionals —
such as home health care aides or hospice caregivers — to provide
the most complete care possible. MGH clinicians also make visits to the
patient's home if necessary. This approach to consolidating multiple appointments
into one visit is particularly crucial for ALS patients, as the mobility
problems associated with the disease make travel difficult.
"The ALS clinic allows us to help our patients with all aspects of
their care in a way that is easy for them," says Merit Cudkowicz,
MD, of MGH Neurology. "We have a team of professionals who are passionate
about caring for people with ALS. With our multidisciplinary team, we
provide patients with excellent care and access to the latest research
on this illness."
For more information about the clinic, contact Matt Bellanich, NP, at
(617) 726-8741.
Back row, from left, Purris Williams,
RT; Matt Bellanich, NP; and Dean
Hess, RT; front row, from left, Paige Nalipinski, SLP; Pat Andres, PT;
and
Amy Swartz, PT. All are members of the ALS multidisciplinary team.